King James Version

What Does Matthew 20:6 Mean?

Matthew 20:6 in the King James Version says “And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the ...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?”

Matthew 20:6 · KJV

Context

4

And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

5

Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

6

And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

7

They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

8

So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And about the eleventh hour he went out (περὶ δὲ τὴν ἑνδεκάτην ὥραν ἐξελθών, peri de tēn hendekatēn hōran exelthōn)—The eleventh hour, approximately 5 PM in a workday that began at 6 AM, represents the final opportunity before sunset when work ceased. The master's going out at this late hour demonstrates grace's extravagance, seeking workers when only one hour remains. This hiring seems economically irrational but reveals God's heart.

Why stand ye here all the day idle? (τί ὧδε ἑστήκατε ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν ἀργοί, ti hōde hestēkate holēn tēn hēmeran argoi)—The master's question assumes desire for employment, not laziness. The adjective ἀργός (argos, idle, unemployed) describes involuntary inactivity, not sloth. These workers waited all day without opportunity, highlighting that exclusion from Kingdom labor is often circumstantial, not volitional. The master's question invites explanation, showing concern for their plight.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Workers hired at the eleventh hour faced economic disaster—a partial day's wage couldn't feed a family. The master's inquiry shows compassion, not accusation. In Jesus's parable, these represent Gentiles, sinners, and social outcasts who were excluded from covenant privilege through no fault of their own—like the tax collectors and prostitutes entering the Kingdom before the religious elite (21:31).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the master's question challenge assumptions about those outside the church being uninterested in spiritual things versus being overlooked or excluded?
  2. What does the eleventh-hour hiring teach about God's willingness to receive those who come to faith late in life or in history's final hour?
  3. In what ways might the church, like the early-hired laborers, resent God's gracious inclusion of eleventh-hour converts?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
περὶ1 of 20

“about”

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

δὲ2 of 20

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

τὴν3 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἑνδεκάτην4 of 20

“the eleventh”

G1734

eleventh

ὥραν5 of 20

“hour”

G5610

an "hour" (literally or figuratively)

ἐξελθὼν6 of 20

“he went out”

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

εὗρεν7 of 20

“and found”

G2147

to find (literally or figuratively)

ἄλλους8 of 20

“others”

G243

"else," i.e., different (in many applications)

ἑστήκατε9 of 20

“stand ye”

G2476

to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)

ἀργοί10 of 20

“idle”

G692

inactive, i.e., unemployed; (by implication) lazy, useless

καὶ11 of 20

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

λέγει12 of 20

“saith”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὖτοῖς13 of 20

“unto them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Τί14 of 20

“Why”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ὧδε15 of 20

“here”

G5602

in this same spot, i.e., here or hither

ἑστήκατε16 of 20

“stand ye”

G2476

to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)

ὅλην17 of 20

“all”

G3650

"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb

τὴν18 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἡμέραν19 of 20

“the day”

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἀργοί20 of 20

“idle”

G692

inactive, i.e., unemployed; (by implication) lazy, useless

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 20:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 20:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 9:4Hebrews 6:12Acts 17:21Proverbs 19:15Ecclesiastes 9:10Luke 23:40-43

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